Click here for Romans 1 audio:
Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.
Paul opens Romans by introducing himself as a servant of Christ Jesus, called and set apart for the gospel God promised long ago in the Scriptures (vv. 1–2). That gospel centers on God’s Son—Jesus, the promised King from David’s line and the risen Lord declared to be the Son of God in power (vv. 3–4). Paul writes to believers in Rome (whom he hasn’t met yet) with gratitude for their faith and with a deep desire to visit so they can strengthen and encourage one another (vv. 8–12). He feels a holy obligation to take the good news to all kinds of people, and he’s eager to preach it in Rome too (vv. 13–15). Then he states the heartbeat of the letter: the gospel is God’s power to save everyone who believes, revealing God’s righteousness from start to finish by faith (vv. 16–17).
Right away, Paul also explains why the world needs saving. God’s wrath is being revealed against human sin because people suppress the truth and refuse to honor and thank the Creator, even though God’s power and divine nature are clearly seen through what He has made (vv. 18–21). Instead of worshiping God, people exchange His glory for idols—created things in place of the Creator (vv. 22–25). As an act of judgment, God “gave them up” to the consequences of their rebellion, and the result is deep moral confusion and a flood of many kinds of evil—both in actions and in approving what is wrong (vv. 24–32). Romans 1 leaves us with no room for pride: we need rescue, and only God can provide it.
🌀 Reflection:
Where are you tempted to be quiet, careful, or “ashamed” of the gospel—not necessarily in what you say, but in what you avoid? Ask the Lord to renew your confidence that the good news isn’t your power to fix people; it’s God’s power to save (v. 16)—and it starts by turning us from worshiping created things back to worshiping the Creator (v. 25).
💬 Mission Challenge:
Share one simple, gospel-centered sentence with someone this week—who Jesus is and what He does to save—and invite them to read Romans with you (vv. 16–17).
Click here to return to the contents page for Phase 2.3 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission.
Just Keith Harris 